The Red Fern Theatre Company

Philanthropies

For each production of the Red Fern Theatre Company, a portion of our proceeds will go to a philanthropy that addresses the themes of the play. This allows us to give back to the community and to educate our audiences on ways to receive help or donate time and/or money.

Newest Partnership:

Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation
Chosen for A Piece of My Heart by Shirley Lauro

The mission of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation is to promote the healing of Vietnam women veterans through the placement of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; to identify the military and civilian women who served during the Vietnam war; to educate the public about their role; and to facilitate research on the physiological, psychological, and sociological issues correlated to their service. The Foundation has the support of every major veterans group in the country including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and more than 40 other diverse organizations.
On November 11th 1993, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial was dedicated to honor the military and civilian women who served their country during the turbulent years of the Vietnam War. The multi-figure bronze sculpture created by sculptor Glenna Goodacre portrays three Vietnam-era women, one of whom is caring for a wounded male soldier. Military women in all branches of the Armed Forces served in numerous support roles, and as nurses who provided care and comfort to their fellow soldiers at a time when the world turned away. Civilian women in the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies provided recreational and social support services. All contributed to the exemplary legacy of women serving during military action. Thousands were placed in harm’s way, and they too suffered the results of the war.

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation continues its mission to foster recognition of the contribution of women to their nation during the Vietnam war. Its activities include initiatives to educate the public to the role of women in Vietnam and support for research that focuses on the problems faced by women as a result of their service. Today, the Foundation expands its mission by linking its programs to the current generation of women who have served helping them and their families cope with the impact of their service.

www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org.

Additional Partnerships:

Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture
Chosen for “Two Rooms” by Lee Blessing

The Bellevue/NYU Program provides comprehensive medical and mental health care, as well as social and legal services to survivors of torture and war trauma and their family members. In the past year alone, we provided these multidisciplinary services to over 500 individuals from 70 countries. Since its inception in 1995, the Program has developed an international reputation for excellence in our clinical, educational and research activities. Our mission is to assist men, women and children subjected to torture and trauma to build healthy, self-sufficient lives and to contribute knowledge and testimony to global efforts to end torture.

http://www.survivorsoftorture.org

Brooklyn Law School's Second Look Program
Chosen for “The Exonerated ” by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen

The mission of the “Second Look Program” is daunting: to free innocent prisoners whose appellate remedies have run their course. The clinic’s mandate is to review the cases of New York State prisoners who assert their innocence and whose cases do not contain issues amenable to resolution through DNA testing. The clinic fills a desperate need, since there are no other programs in New York City that focus exclusively on non-DNA innocence cases. It has already received over 4000 requests for help. These cases, which generally involve erroneous eyewitness identification, false confessions, ineffective counsel, and police and prosecutorial misconduct, are believed to be the hardest to “crack,” because generally they do not turn on scientific proof but on newly discovered evidence secured through extensive legwork. To read more on one of their most successful cases, visit:
http://www.brooklaw.edu/news/homepage_news/2ndlookvictory.php
http://www.brooklaw.edu/academic/clinics/news_2ndlookclinic.php

The Hetrick-Martin Institute
Chosen for “The Long Christmas Ride Home” by Paula Vogel

The Hetrick-Martin Institute, founded in 1979, is the oldest and largest non-for-profit, multi-service agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, providing a broad range of vital programming, including educational services for at-risk youth in The Harvey Milk High School; individual, group, and family counseling; concrete services and case management for homeless and at-risk teenagers through supportive services; social and cultural activities; health and wellness activities; and career exploration and youth leadership offered through after-school services. The Institute serves youth from the five boroughs of New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area.

http://www.hmi.org

Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility
Chosen for “Found a Peanut” by Donald Margulies

Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility (founded in 1982 as Educators for Social Responsibility Metropolitan Area) educates young people for hopeful and intelligent engagement with their world: We promote creative nonviolent ways of dealing with conflict and help students develop life skills in relating well to others, standing up to bias, and thinking critically about the big issues of the day. Through our programs, we encourage people to take leadership in creating and sustaining a just, peaceful, and truly democratic society.

www.morningsidecenter.org.

Remember the Women Institute
Chosen for “Who Will Carry the Word?” by Charlotte Delbo

The Remember the Women Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that conducts and encourages research and cultural activities that contribute to including women in history.

Special emphasis is on women in the context of the Holocaust and its aftermath, including post-World War II immigration. Other topics include women marginalized within Jewish religion and inter-religious dialogue, as well as the accomplishments and exclusion of women in Jewish and general history, the effects of genocide on women, exploitation of women, and the effects of culture on memorialization.

Through this research and related activities, the stories of women - from the point of view of women - will be available to be integrated into history and collective memory. The work of the Institute is intended to influence academic research and publications, as well as popular culture, by encouraging the inclusion of all of humanity in historical and commemorative representations. Such academic fields as History, Holocaust Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Women's Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Studies can benefit from the Institute’s contributions. The Institute’s work can also enrich future films, theater, museum exhibits, and other cultural products.

http://www.rememberwomen.org/

Village Care of New York's AIDS Network
Chosen for “Patient A” by Lee Blessing

For 'Patient A', we chose Village Care of New York’s AIDS Network which includes Rivington House, a long term care facility for people with AIDS. Rivington House was Melanie’s first employer in New York as a temp. Her two months there gave her a supportive home, and we admire all of the hard work and love they put into this organization. Because of this, a portion of our proceeds went go to Village Care.
Village Care of New York's AIDS Network offers a comprehensive array services that address the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS, ranging from at-home care to day treatment to residential skilled nursing care and more.

For additional information, call (212) 337-5771.

http://www.vcny.org/aids_network/index.html